Fastening Member Comprising Shaped Tab

ABSTRACT

A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.12/492,223, filed Jun. 26, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/796,846, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,264, issuedAug. 4, 2009, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.10/624,005, filed Jul. 21, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,403, issued May22, 2007, which claims dm benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.6073982,002, filed Jul. 23, 2002, the substances of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fastening member comprising a basepanel and a shaped tab extending from the base panel. More specificallythe present invention relates to a fastening member which may be usedfor fastening a portion of an object to another portion.

BACKGROUND

Fastening systems are widely known and widely used. Disposable absorbentarticles are one example which is provided with fastening systems. Thefastening systems provided on disposable absorbent articles are to forma closure of so-called open type absorbent articles (e.g., diaper) whenin use or to adjust the dimension of the waist circumference ofso-called pull-on type absorbent articles (e.g., diaper). Inconventional arrangement of fastening systems on disposable diapers, thefastening member of the fastening system is provided to extend in thedirection parallel to the lateral direction of the absorbent diaper suchthat the fastening member is pulled in the lateral direction forfastening the diaper and for forming a defined dimension of the waistopening. This provides a lateral tensioning force to keep the diaper inthe abdominal region of the wearer. However, this defined waistdimension created by the fastening system cannot accommodate the changesin body dimension caused by wearer movement such that the diaper tendsto slide/slip down on the wearer when the dimension of the abdomen ofthe wearer becomes smaller than the defined dimension formed by thefastening system. Further, when the abdominal dimension becomes largerthan the defined dimension formed by the fastening system, the bodytends to push the diaper to a different position on the wearer(typically to a smaller dimension area which is lower than the point ofinitial fit) or the diaper tends to be so tight on the abdomen that thediaper can mark the skin or be uncomfortable to wear.

Many attempts have been made to solve such problems. U.S. Pat. No.5,383,871 issued to Carlin et al. on Jan. 24, 1995 discloses a closuresystem for anchoring the absorbent article on the wearer. The closuresystem provides a primary line of tension around the wearer that fitspredominantly within the low motion zone to enhance the dynamic fit andto anchor the absorbent core in place so that it will not slip/slideduring use. The primary line of tension established by the closuresystem is disposed at an angle on the wearer. In preferred embodiments,the closure system is provided with tape tabs of a specified design, toallow the wearer to easily form the “angled” primary line of tensionabout the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,794 issued to Thomas on Feb. 18,1997 discloses a method for the manufacture of angled tape tabs for usewith disposable absorbent articles. The tape tabs are provided at anangle to the machine direction or longitudinal centerline of thedisposable diaper to provide improved fit and containment about thewearers waist. However, these publications do not disclose a specificdesign of tape tab to allow easy and inexpensive operation ofmanufacture without creating a trim while providing directionality ofthe tape tab.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a fastening member which isable to provide directionality of the fastening member. There is also aneed for a fastening member which is able to be easily and inexpensivelymanufactured without creating a trim. None of the existing absorbentarticles provides all of the advantages and benefits of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a fastening member. The fasteningmember extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral directionand has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a basepanel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. Theshaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distalportion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edgecomprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upperedge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to thelongitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in thelongitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateralcenterline of the fastening member.

All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein byreference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as anadmission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the presentinvention will be better understood from the following description ofpreferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a diaper having afastening member of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the diaper of FIG. 1 in its flat-outconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the fastening member;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of the fastening member shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view showing the contour edge of thefastening member;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a process forming a plurality of fasteningmembers;

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view showing the fastening member joined tothe landing zone member;

FIG. 10 is an alternative embodiment of a fastening member;

FIG. 11 is an another alternative embodiment of a fastening member;

FIG. 12 is a further alternative embodiment of a fastening member; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a diaperhaving an alternative fastening member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “comprising” means that other steps and otheringredients which do not affect the end result can be added. This termencompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices whichabsorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers todevices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody. The term “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbent,articles which generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwiserestored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended tobe discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled,composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatiblemanner). As used herein, the term “disposed” is used to mean that anelement(s) of the diaper is formed (joined and positioned) in aparticular place or position as a unitary structure with other elementsof the diaper or as a separate element joined to another element of thediaper. As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurationswhereby an dement is directly secured to another element by affixing theelement directly to the other element, and configurations whereby anelement is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the elementto intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the otherelement.) As used herein, the term “diaper” refers to an absorbentarticle generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about thelower torso. The present invention is also applicable to other absorbentarticles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments,absorbent inserts, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments,and the like. The term “longitudinal”, as used herein, refers to a line,axis or direction in the plane of the absorbent article that isgenerally aligned with (e.g., approximately parallel to) a verticalplane which bisects a standing wearer into left and right body halveswhen the absorbent article is worn. The terms “transverse” or “lateral”used herein, are interchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or directionwhich lies within the plane of the absorbent article that is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the diaper 20 having a fastening member48 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2 showing across-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3showing a top plan view of the diaper 20 of FIG. 1 in its flat-outconfiguration as well the diaper 20 has an inner surface 26 facing thewearer, an opposite outer surface 28, a longitudinal centerline L, and alateral centerline T. The diaper 20 also has longitudinal side edges 22run generally in the longitudinal direction of the diaper and lateralend edges 24 ran between the longitudinal side edges 22 generally in thelateral direction of the diaper 20. The periphery of the diaper 20 isdefined by the longitudinal side edges 22 and the lateral end edges 24.The diaper 20 farther has a front waist region 36, a back waist region38 and a crotch region 40 disposed between the front waist region 36 andthe back waist region 38.

The diaper 20 comprises a chassis 54 and a fastening member 48 joined tothe chassis 54, The chassis 54 has a generally rectangle shape in itsflat-out configuration as shown in FIG. 3. The chassis 54 has lateralend edges 58 and longitudinal side edges 56. The lateral end edge 58 ofthe chassis 54 preferably defines the lateral end edge 24 of the diaper20. The longitudinal side edges 56 of the chassis 54 preferably definesthe longitudinal side edge 22 of the diaper 20 at least in the crotchregion 40. The chassis 54 comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 30; aliquid impervious backsheet 32; an absorbent core 34, which ispreferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 30 andthe backsheet 32; and a side flap 44 extending laterally outwardly fromthe absorbent core 34. The side flap 44 has a proximal flap 74 and adistal flap 76. The chassis 54 further comprises an elasticized outerleg cuff 42 disposed adjacent to the longitudinal side edge 22 in thecrotch region 40. The elasticized outer leg cuff 42 has a base 68 and agasket cuff 70 supported by the base 68 at a joint 72 of the base 68 tothe gasket cuff 70. The gasket cuff 70 is provided with an elasticmaterial 46 and has an inner cuff 81 extending laterally inwardly fromthe joint 72 and an outer cuff 83 extending laterally outwardly from thejoint 72. The chassis 54 shown in FIG. 1 also may comprise barrier legcuffs 52 and an elastic waist feature (not shown in Figures). Thefastening member 48 is joined adjacent to the longitudinal side edge 56of the chassis 54 and joined to an element constituting the chassis 54such as a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, an elasticized outerleg cuff, a barrier leg cuff or combinations thereof by any known meanssuch as adhesives or heat and pressure attachment such that thefastening member 48 extends laterally outwardly from the absorbent cote34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fastening member 48 is joinedto the backsheet 32 by heat and pressure attachment. The fasteningmember 48 comprises an ear panel or base panel 49 and a shaped tab 51extending laterally outwardly from the ear panel 49 in stretchedconfiguration of the shaped tab 51 (FIGS. 1 and 3 show the shaped tab 51being folded laterally inwardly). The fastening member 48 also hasfastening materials 100. A landing zone member 94 is provided in thefront waist region 36 to form a closure of the diaper 20 together withthe fastening materials 100 of the fastening member 48.

The liquid pervious topsheet 30 is preferably positioned adjacent thebody-facing surface of the absorbent core 34 and may be joined theretoand/or to the backsheet 32 by any attachment means known in the art. Thetopsheet 30 is preferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating tothe wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of the topsheet 30 isliquid pervious, permitting liquid to readily penetrate through itsthickness. A suitable topsheet 30 may be manufactured from a wide rangeof materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plasticfilms; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cottonfibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), ora combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the topsheet30 is made of a hydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic inorder to isolate the wearer's skin from liquids contained in theabsorbent core 34. If the topsheet 30 is made of a hydrophobic material,preferably at least the upper surface of the topsheet 30 is treated tobe hydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through the topsheet morerapidly.

The liquid impervious backsheet 32 is generally that portion of thediaper 20 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface of theabsorbent core 34. Backsheet 32 prevents the exudates absorbed andcontained therein from soiling articles that may contact the diaper 20,such as bedsheets and undergarments. In preferred embodiments, thebacksheet 32 is impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thinplastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheetfilms include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of TerreHaute, Ind. and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964.Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials thatpermit vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while still preventingexudates from passing through the backsheet 32. Exemplary breathablematerials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs,composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporousfilms such as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under thedesignation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical. Co., of Bay City, Tex.,under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materialscomprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation,Cincinnati, Ohio under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. The backsheet 32may be covered by a woven or a nonwoven to impart more cloth-likeappearance to the diaper.

The absorbent com 34 may comprise any absorbent material that isgenerally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearers skin,and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and othercertain body exudates. The absorbent core 34 has longitudinal side edgesand end edges and can be manufactured in a wide variety of sixes andshapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, “T”-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) andmay comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly usedin disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as comminutedwood pulp, which is generally referred to as airfelt. Examples of othersuitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; meltblownpolymers, including coform; chemically stiffened, modified orcross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps andtissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbentpolymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other known absorbentmaterial or combinations of materials. In any case all or a portion ofthe core may include slits which allow the core to form openings whenstretched into which fecal matter can flow. The configuration andconstruction of the absorbent core 34 may also be varied (e.g., theabsorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) may have varyingcaliper zones, a hydxophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, orlower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones;or may comprise one or more layers or structures). However, the totalabsorbent capacity of the absorbent core 34 should be compatible withthe design loading and the intended use of the diaper 20.

The barrier leg cuff 52 is joined adjacent the longitudinal side edges56 of the chassis 54. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the barrier legcuff 52 is joined onto the topsheet 30 at the proximal edge 66 of thebarrier leg cuff 52 by any known means. The barrier leg cuff 52 maycomprise any known materials such as a nonwoven material which may beliquid impervious and/or hydrophobic. The barrier leg cuff 52 has alateral inner portion 62 extending laterally inwardly from the proximaledge 66 and being provided with an elastic materials at the distal endof the lateral inner portion 62 to space the lateral inner portion 62upwardly away from the topsheet 30 to serve as a barrier to leakage ofbody exudates.

The side flap 44 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is disposed adjacent thelongitudinal side edge 56 of the chassis 54 so as to extend laterallyoutwardly from the absorbent core 34 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.The side flap 44 is preferably formed with a material which is liquidimpervious and/or hydrophobic. The side flap 44 has a proximal flap 74which is laterally proximate to the absorbent core 34 and a distal flap76 which extends laterally outwardly from the proximal flap 74. Theproximal flap 74 and the distal flap 76 may be formed with an integralmaterial or alternatively may be formed with separate materials joinedto each other. The side flap 44 may be formed by a single layer ofmaterial, or two or more layers of material.

The elasticized outer leg cuff 42 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprisesthe side flap 44 and the elastic material 46. The outer leg cuff 42 is agenerally T-shaped cuff having a base 68 and a gasket cuff 70 supportedby the base 68 at a joint 72 of the base to the gasket cuff 70. The term“generally T-shaped” means that the base branches from the gasket cuffat the joint between the inner cuff and the outer cuff of the gasketcuff such that the base forms an angle with the inner cuff and an anglewith an outer cuff in a cross-sectional view when the diaper is in arelaxed configuration. Therefore, the base may form an angle of 90degree or an angle other than 90 degree with the inner cuff and theouter cuff. The base 68 comprises the proximal flap 74 and extendsbetween the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core 34 and thejoint 72. The gasket cuff 70 comprises the distal flap 76 and disposedon the top of the base 68. The gasket cuff 70 has an inner cuff 81extending laterally inwardly from the joint 72 and an outer cuff 83extending laterally outwardly from the joint 72 as shown in FIG. 2. Thetop gasket cuff surface 86 has a generally flat surface in cross-sectionas shown in FIG. 2 while it may have a degree of undulation in thelongitudinal direction formed by the gather caused by the elasticmaterial 46 as shown in FIG. 1. The gasket cuff 70 is provided with theelastic material 46 such as a plurality of elastic strands, a singleelastic belt or the like.

The fastening member 48 comprises an ear panel or base panel 49 and ashaped tab 51 extending laterally outwardly from the ear panel 49 instretched configuration of the shaped tab 51. The ear panel 49 and theshaped tab 51 may be formed with an integral material or may be formedwith separate materials joined to one another. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 4 and 5, a portion of the shaped tab 51 is integrally formedwith the ear panel 49. The fastening member 48 also has fasteningmaterials 100 to form a closure of the diaper 20 with the landing zonemember 94.

The ear panel 49 may comprise any material such as a plastic film, wovenor nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers),synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers or may comprise anycombination of materials thereof. The ear panel 49 is preferablycompliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin as theear panel 49 touches the wearer's skin when in use. Further, at least aportion of the ear panel 49 may be vapor pervious, permitting vapor toreadily penetrate through its thickness. In the embodiment shown in FIG.5, the ear panel 49 comprises a plastic film 53 and a nonwoven 55laminated on the plastic film 53 such that the nonwoven 55 faces thewearer's body and the plastic film 53 faces outwardly when the diaper 20is used. The ear panel 49 may have stretchability so that the ear panel49 is able to provide a force to maintain the diaper on the wearer'sbody.

The shaped tab 51 may comprise an extension of the ear panel 49 or maycomprise separate materials joined to the ear panel 49. The shaped tab51 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a leading portion 57, a connective portion59, and a trailing portion 61. The trailing portion 61 comprises anextension of the eat panel 49. The leading portion 57 may comprise thesame material as the ear panel 49 and/or the connective portion 59 ormay comprise different materials. The leading portion 57 serves as agrasp portion for the shaped tab 51. The connective portion 59preferably comprises a material different from the material of the earpanel 49. This allows to provide tins connective portion 59 withproperties different from the material of the ear panel 49 with respectto, e.g., stiffness and stretch ability. The connective portion 59 maycomprise a plastic film, a woven, a nonwoven or a combination thereof.Preferably, the connective portion 59 is stiffer than the ear panel 49.Preferably, the connective portion 59 is less stretchable than the earpanel 49. The connective portion 59 which is stirrer and/or lessstretchable than the ear panel 49 reduces to transmit the forcesdeveloped in the ear panel 49 therethrough. It also reduces to transmitthe wrinkles created in the ear panel 49 due to the forces developed inthe ear panel 49. The connective portion 49 is provided with an adhesivemeans 63 to join portions of the connective portion 49 to the trailingportion 61 and the leading portion 57.

The fastening material 100 is provided on the shaped tab 51. Thefastening material 100 is intended to provide a fastening means forengaging the landing zone member 94 so as to provide a secure sideclosure for the diaper 20. Thus, the fastening material 100 comprises afirst hook fastening material 106 comprising a plurality of hooks 102and the base substrate 104 to support the hooks 102. The base substrate104 is joined to the connective portion 59 of the shaped tab 51 throughthe adhesive means 63. It is preferable that the hooks 102 protrudebeyond the surface of the ear panel 49 such that the hooks 102sufficiently engage into the landing zone member 94. It should beunderstood that the use of the term “hook” should be non-limiting in thesense that the engaging elements may comprise any shapes as are known inthe art so long as they are adapted to engage a complementary landingzone member. The first hook fastening material 106 may comprise any ofthe well known configurations and securement means for achieving a sideclosure on a diaper. It is preferable that the first hook fasteningmaterial 106 comprises two hook fastening materials which are spacedlypositioned in the lateral direction of the shaped tab 51. Each of thefirst hook fastening materials 106 generally extends in the longitudinaldirection of the shaped tab 51 and a gap is provided between each of thefirst hook fastening materials 106. Without wishing to be bound by thetheory, it is believed that the gap between the fastening materialscontributes to reduce the transmission of the induced stress developedin one of the fastening materials to the other of fastening materialsand prevents the other of the fastening materials front being detachedone to the transmission of the induced stress developed in the one ofthe fastening materials. The gap may have a lateral width of betweenabout 3 mm and about 15 mm, preferably between about 5 mm and about 13mm, more preferably between about 7 mm and about 11 mm. While thefastening material 100 comprises a first hook fastening material 106comprising a plurality of hooks 102, the fastening material 100 maycomprise first adhesive materials which am spacedly positioned in thelateral direction of the diaper 20.

The fastening material 100 may also have a second adhesive material 108provided at the gap between the first hook fastening material 106. Thesecond adhesive material 108 may comprise the adhesive means 63 of theconnective portion 59 or may comprise a different adhesive means. Thesecond adhesive material 108 provides a supplemental fastening means.The second adhesive material 108 may also serve as a means totemporarily attach the shaped tab 51 to the ear panel 437 as shown inFIG. 1 before use of the diaper 20. Alternatively, the second adhesivematerial 108 may serve as a means to roll up and secure the soileddiaper to dispose it by being joined to the backsheet 32. Such anadhesive material 108 is particularly useful when the outer surface ofbacksheet 32 comprises a plastic film as the hook means does not engagethe plastic film.

The fastening member 48 may be folded such that the shaped tab 51 havingthe fastening material 100 is superposed on the ear panel 49 and engagesthe nonwoven 55 of the ear panel 49 as shown in FIG. 1. In thisconfiguration, the shaped tab 51 may be folded along the partition line110 described hereinbelow. Alternatively, the fastening member 48 may befolded at any point of the shaped tab 51 or the ear panel 49. Forexample, the fastening member 48 may be folded along the line 106 A,106B or 106C as indicated in FIG. 4. When the fastening member 48 isfolded along the line 106A or 106B, the second adhesive material 108 issuperposed on either of the first hook fastening materials 106. Thisallows to prevent the adhesion of the second adhesive material 108 frombeing deteriorated because the adhesive material 108 only touches thehead of the hooks 102.

The fastening member 48 is designed to have a specific shape to providedirectionality of the fastening member 48 and also to be easily andinexpensively manufactured without creating a trim. FIG. 6 shows anenlarged top plan view of the fastening member 48 comprising the basepanel or ear panel 49 and the shaped tab 51. The fastening member 48extends in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction whichcorrespond to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction ofthe diaper 20, respectively. The shaped tab 51 is disposed to laterallyextend from the base panel or ear panel 49. The ear panel 49 and theshaped tab 51 can be sectioned by a partition line 110 extending in thelongitudinal, direction as shown in FIG. 6 as an imaginary line. Thehastening member 48 also has a lateral centerline T1. The lateralcenterline T1 of the fastening member 48 can be defined as a lineextending in the lateral direction equally dividing the partition line110 into an upper half and a lower half in FIG. 6.

The ear panel 49 has a generally rectangle shape having a lateral upperedge 112, a lateral lower edge 114, a longitudinal leading edge 116 anda longitudinal trailing edge 118. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, thelateral upper edge 112 and a lateral lower edge 114 are in parallel andthe longitudinal leading edge 116 and the longitudinal trailing edge 118are also in parallel. As the lateral upper edge 112 and the laterallower edge 114 are in parallel, the longitudinal length V of the earpanel 49 should be constant at any point along the lateral direction ofthe ear panel 49. Such constant longitudinal length V of the ear panel49 allows not to create any trim when the fastening member 48 ismanufactured continuously as described herein below. As far as suchconstant longitudinal length V of the ear panel 49 is maintained alongthe lateral direction, the lateral upper edge and the lateral lower edgemay be curved, wavy, or any other shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG.6, the partition line 110 aligns the longitudinal leading edge 116. Thepartition line 110 is defined as a longitudinal line which has the samelongitudinal length V as the rest of the ear panel 49 and which is theclosest to the shaped tab 51. The longitudinal length in the area of theshaped tab 51 changes depending on the desired shape of the tab and suchchange of the longitudinal length imparts the “shape” to the shaped tab.In other words, the partition line 110 is the boundary line to startchanging the longitudinal length of the fastening member 48 as it movesfrom the ear panel 49 toward the shaped tab 51.

The shaped tab 51 extends laterally from the ear panel 49. The shapedtab 51 is surrounded by a contour edge 124 and the partition line 110.The shaped tab 51 has a longitudinal centerline 12 and a lateralcenterline T2. The longitudinal centerline L2 can be defined as a lineextending in the longitudinal direction equally dividing the maximumlateral width W of the shaped tab 110 into two. The maximum width W canbe determined as a width from the partition line 110 to a point on thecontour edge 124 which is laterally furthest away from partition line110. The shaped tab 51 also has a distal portion 120 and a proximalportion 122 which are disposed in the lateral direction. The distalportion 120 and the proximal portion 122 may be separated by thelongitudinal centerline L2. The lateral centerline T2 can be defined asa line extending in the lateral direction equally dividing thelongitudinal centerline L2 into an upper half and a lower half. Thelongitudinal centerline L2 and the lateral centerline T2 intersect at acenter point X. While the partition line 110 shown in FIG. 6 is notdisturbed by the contour edge 124 of the shaped tab 51, the partitionline 110 may be disturbed by the contour edge 124 as shown by a dottedline in FIG. 6 depending on its shape of the contour edge 124.

The contour edge 124 of the shaped tab 51 comprises a shaped upper edge126 and a shaped lower edge 128 which are defined by being separated bythe lateral centerline T1 of the fastening member 48. Thus, the shapedupper edge 126 extends from a point D where the contour edge 124 and thepartition line 110 intersect in the upper half of the fastening member48 to a point E where the contour edge 124 and the lateral centerline T1of the fastening member 48 intersect. The shaped lower edge 128 extendsfrom the point E to a point F where the contour edge 124 and thepartition line 110 intersects in the lower half of the fastening member48. The longitudinal centerline L2 intersects the shaped upper edge 126at a point A in the upper half of the fastening member 48 and intersectsthe shaped lower edge 128 at a point B in the lower half of thefastening member 48. The lateral center line T2 intersects the contouredge 124 at a point C.

The shaped upper edge 126 extending between the point D and the point Eand the shaped lower edge 128 extending the point E1 and the point Fhave specific shapes. It is important that the shaped upper edge 126 andthe shaped lower edge 128 are asymmetric with respect to the lateralcenterline T1 of the fastening member 48 as shown in FIG. 7. It is alsoimportant that the shaped upper edge 126 and the shaped lower edge 128are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline L2 of theshaped tab 51 when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction. Asschematically shown in FIG. 7, the shaped upper edge 126 shown by thesolid line is relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction towardthe shaped lower edge 128 as shown by a dotted imaginary line 126. Thedotted imaginary line of the shaped upper edge 126 thus shifted issymmetric with the shaped lower edge 128 with respect to thelongitudinal centerline L2 of the shaped tab 51. While the shaped upperedge 126 is relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 7,the shaped lower edge 128 may be relatively shifted in the longitudinaldirection toward the shaped upper edge 126.

The specific shapes of the shaped upper edge 126 and the shaped loweredge 128 are important to provide a fastening member which hasdirectionality and which is able to be easily and inexpensivelymanufactured without creating a trim. The asymmetricalness of the shapedupper edge 126 and the shaped lower edge 128 with respect to the lateralcenterline T1 of the fastening member 48 allows to provide firedirectionality of the shaped tab 51. The symmetricalness of the shapedupper edge 126 and the shaped lower edge 128 with respect to thelongitudinal centerline L2 of the shaped tab 51 when relatively shiftedin the longitudinal centerline 12 allows to continuously manufacture afastening member easily and inexpensively without forming a trim.

The directionality of the shaped tab 51 can be generally recognized bythe shape of the distal portion 120 of the shaped tab 51. The distalportion 120 of the shaped tab 51 shown in FIG. 6 is designed to providedownwardness of directionality as indicated by the arrow M. Moreconcretely, the directionality can be recognized by specific shapes ofthe distal upper edge extending between the point A and the point C inthe distal portion 120 and of the distal lower edge extending betweenthe point C and the point B in the distal portion 120. If is convenientto compare the shape of the distal upper edge and the distal lower edgeby the greatest distance from the center point X of the shaped tab 51.As shown in FIG. 6, the distal upper edge has a point G thereon which isspaced at the greatest distance from the center point X. The distallower edge has a point H thereon which is spaced at the greatestdistance from the center point X. The greatest distance between thepoint H and the center point X is preferably greater than the greatestdistance between the point G and the center point X. Because of suchdifference of the distance from the center point X, the user recognizesdirectionality of the distal portion 120. It is preferable that thegreatest distance between the center point X and the point H is presentat an angle S of between about 30 degree and about 60 degree downwardlywith respect to the lateral centerline T2. It is also preferable thatthe greatest distance between the center point X and the point G ispresent at an angle T of between about 30 degree and about 60 degreeupwardly with respect to the lateral centerline T2. It is even morepreferable that the greatest distance between the center point X to thepoint H is not less than about 120% of the greatest distance between thecenter point X and the point G. If is also preferable that the greatestdistance between the center point X to the point H is not more thanabout 200% of the greatest distance between the center point X and thepoint G.

The distal portion 120 of the shaped tab 51 may preferably have an upperrounded corner 130 and a lower rounded corner 132 which are adjacent thepoint G and point H, respectively. It is preferable that the upperrounded corner 130 has a greater radius of curvature than the lowerrounded corner 132. This also contributes to define the shape of shapedtab 51 to provide directionality.

The proximal portion 122 of the shaped tab 51 may have a recess 134 onthe shaped upper edge 126 and a recess 136 on the shaped lower edge 128.The recess 134 extends between the point D and the point A on the shapedupper edge 126 and has a symmetric shape with the lower rounded corner132 extending between the point E and B when relatively shifted in thelongitudinal direction. At least apart of the recess 136 extends betweenthe point B and the point F on the shaped lower edge 128 and has asymmetric shape with the upper rounded corner 130 extending between thepoint A and the point E. The recess 134 and/or the recess 136effectively reduces the wrinkles, which are created in the ear panel 49by the laterally pulling force, to be transmitted into the upper edgeand/or the lower edge of the shaped tab 51, and helps the laterallypulling force to concentrate into the center portion of the shaped tab51 along the lateral centerline T2. Thus, as the wrinkles axe nottransmitted into the upper edge and/or the lower edge of the shaped tab51, especially of the distal portion 120, the risk of removal of theshaped tab 51 caused by the wrinkles can be reduced.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a process forming a plurality offastening members. In FIG. 8, the fastening member web 148 is providedin the direction indicated by the arrow P. The fastening member web 148has preferably been provided with a fastening material such as a hookfastening material and/or adhesive material. The fastening member web148 is cut along a shaped cut line 160 generally extending in thelongitudinal direction and cut along a lateral cut line 162 to obtain aplurality of fastening members 48. A pair of fastening members 48 can bejoined to the opposite longitudinal side edges 56 of the chassis 54 asshown in FIG. 3. The lateral cut line 162 forms the lateral lower edge114A of the preceding fastening member 48A and the lateral upper edge112C of the following fastening member 480 on the left side. The shapedcut line 160 forms the contour edge 124 of the shaped tab 51. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 8, the shaped tab 51B of the fastening member48B on the right side has the shaped upper edge 126 B and the shapedlower edge 128B. The shaped upper edge 126B corresponds to the shapedlower edge 128A of the shaped tab 51A of the preceding fastening member48A on the left side. The shaped lower edge 128B corresponds to theshaped upper edge 126C of the shaped tab 51C of the following fasteningmember 48C on the left side. Thus, the specific configuration of thefastening member allows to continuously manufacture a fastening membereasily and inexpensively without forming any trim as well as providingdirectionality of the fastening member.

The fastening member 48 having directionality is especially useful whenthe fastening member 48 is joined to the landing zone member 94 to forma closure of the diaper 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the landing zone member94 is provided hi the front waist region (not shown in FIG. 9). Becausethe shaped tab 51 of the fastening member 48 is provided withdownwardness of directionality M as explained above, the user tends topull the shaped tab 51 downwardly whereby the “angled” line of tensionabout the wearer is easily formed. The landing zone member 94 in FIG. 9may be provided with an angled guide means 95 to indicate the directionof the fastening member 48 to more easily form the “angled” line oftension about the wearer.

Many alternatives are possible in forming a fastening member of thepresent invention while only representative examples are describedherein below. FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a fasteningmember. The fastening member 248 comprises dm base panel or ear panel249 and the shaped tab 251 sectioned by the partition line 310 extendingin the longitudinal direction. The ear panel 249 has a lateral upperedge 312, a lateral lower edge 314, a longitudinal leading edge 316 anda longitudinal trailing edge 318. While the lateral upper edge 312 andthe lateral lower edge 314 are curved as shown in FIG. 10, thelongitudinal length V therebetween remains constant along the lateraldirection of the ear panel 249. The contour edge 324 of the shaped tab251 is formed by a combination of straight lines as shown in FIG. 10.The shaped tab 251 also has a distal portion 320 and a proximal portion322.

The contour edge 324 of the shaped tab 251 comprises a shaped upper edge326 and a shaped lower edge 328. The shaped upper edge 326 extends froma point D where the contour edge 324 and the partition line 310intersect in the upper half of the fastening member 248 to a point Ewhere the contour edge 324 and the lateral centerline T1 of thefastening member 248 intersect. The shaped lower edge 328 extends fromthe point E to a point F where the contour edge 324 and the partitionline 310 intersect in the lower half of the fastening member 248. Theshaped upper edge 326 and the shaped lower edge 328 are asymmetric withrespect to the lateral centerline T1 of the fastening member 248 asshown in FIG. 10. The shaped upper edge 326 and the shaped lower edge328 are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline L2 of theshaped tab 251 when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction. Itis preferable in FIG. 10 that the greatest distance between the point Hand the center point X is greater than the greatest distance between thepoint G and the center point X. The shaped upper edge 326 of the shapedtab 251 has a tapered, inclined distal upper corner 327 while the shapedlower edge 328 maintains the shape of the distal lower corner 329 havinga right angle. This contrast of the shape of the distal upper corner 327and the distal lower corner 329 also contributes to providedirectionality of the shaped tab 251. Further, in the embodiment shownin FIG. 10, the proximal portion 322 of the shaped tab 251 has no recesson the shaped upper edge 326 and no recess on the shaped lower edge 328.

FIG. 11 also shows an alternative embodiment of a fastening member. Thisembodiment of the fastening member 448 also comprises the base panel orear panel 449 and the shaped tab 451 sectioned by the partition line 510extending in the longitudinal direction. The contour edge 524 of theshaped tab 451 is formed by a combination of straight lines as shown inFIG. 11. The shaped tab 451 also has a distal portion 520 and a proximalportion 522.

The contour edge 524 of the shaped tab 451 comprises a shaped upper edge526 and a shaped lower edge 528. The shaped upper edge 526 extends froma point D where the contour edge 524 and the partition line 510intersect in the upper half of the fastening member 448 to a point Ewhere the contour edge 524 and the lateral centerline T1 of thefastening member 448 intersect. The shaped lower edge 528 extends fromthe point E to a point F where the contour edge 524 and the partitionline 510 intersect in the lower half of the fastening member 448. Theshaped upper edge 526 and the shaped lower edge 528 are asymmetric withrespect to the lateral centerline T1 of the fastening member 448 asshown in FIG. 11. The shaped upper edge 526 and the shaped lower edge528 are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline L2 of theshaped tab 451 when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction. Itis preferable in FIG. 11 that the greatest distance between the point Hand the center point X is greater than the greatest distance between thepoint G and the center point X. The shaped lower edge 528 of the shapedtab 451 has a protrusion 529 protruding generally downwardly while theshaped upper edge 526 has the shape of the distal upper corner 527having a right angle. This contrast of the shape of the distal uppercorner 527 and the protrusion 529 also contributes to providedirectionality of the shaped tab 451. Further, in the embodiment shownin FIG. 11, the proximal portion of the shaped tab 451 has a recess 534on the shaped upper edge 526 and no recess on the shaped lower edge 528.

FIG. 12 further shows an alternative embodiment of a fastening member.This embodiment of the fastening member 648 also comprises the basepanel or ear panel 649 and the shaped tab 651 sectioned by the partitionline 710 extending in the longitudinal direction. The shaped tab 651also has a distal portion 720 and a proximal portion 722.

The contour edge 724 of the shaped tab 651 comprises a shaped upper edge726 and a shaped lower edge 728. The shaped upper edge 726 extends froma point D where the contour edge 724 and the partition line 710intersect in the upper half of the fastening member 648 to a point Bwhere the contour edge 724 and the lateral centerline T1 of thefastening member 648 intersect. The shaped lower edge 728 extends frontthe point E to a point F where the contour edge 724 and the partitionline 710 intersect in the lower half of the fastening number 648. Theshaped upper edge 726 and the shaped lower edge 728 are asymmetric withrespect to the lateral centerline T1 of the fastening member 648 asshown in FIG. 12. The shaped upper edge 726 and the shaped lower edge728 am symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline L2 of theshaped tab 651 when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction. Itis preferable in FIG. 12 that the greatest distance between the point Hand the center point X is greater than the greatest distance between thepoint G and the center point X. The shaped upper edge 726 in the distalportion 720 (i.e., between the point A and the point G) and the shapedlower edge 728 in the distal portion 720 (i.e., between the point H andthe point B) are both inclined downwardly as it is apart laterally awayfrom the proximal portion 722. This shape of the shaped upper edge 726and the shaped lower edge 728 in the distal portion 720 also contributesto provide directionality of the shaped tab 651. Further, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 12, the proximal portion of the shaped tab 651has a recess 734 on the shaped upper edge 726 and a recess 734 on theshaped lower edge 728.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of a diaper having a fasteningmember. The diaper 820 comprises a chassis 854 and a side panel 847joined to the chassis 854. The chassis 854 has a liquid permeabletopsheet 830, a liquid impermeable backsheet 832, and an absorbent com834. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the side panel 847 is formedwith an integral extension of the backsheet 832 (e.g., an extension of aliquid impermeable film or an extension of an outer nonwoven coveringthe liquid impermeable film). Therefore, the backsheet 832 of the diaper820 has a generally hourglass shape having a narrow crotch region. Thediaper 820 is also provided with the fastening member 848. The fasteningmember 848 is provided in the form of a fastening tape and comprises ashaped tab 851 and a base panel 849. The most portion of the base panel849 is used to join the fastening member 848 to the side panel 847.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It istherefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A fastening member extending in a longitudinal direction and in alateral direction and having a lateral centerline, the fastening membercomprising a stretchable ear panel and a tab extending laterally fromthe stretchable ear panel, wherein said stretchable ear panel comprisesat least a nonwoven layer joined to a film layer, wherein the tab has alongitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, the tab comprisesleading, connective and trailing portions and a fastening materialdisposed on said connective portion of said tab, wherein said connectiveportion is stiffer than said stretchable ear panel, wherein saidfastening material comprises a hook fastening material that comprises abase joined to the connective portion and a plurality of hooks extendingfrom said base, wherein a portion of said tab overlaps with a portion ofsaid stretchable ear panel at a trailing portion and wherein alongitudinal length of said tab at said trailing portion is the same asa longitudinal length the stretchable ear panel at said trailing portionand wherein said fastening member is folded such that said hookfastening material engages said nonwoven material of said stretchableear panel.
 2. The fastening member according to claim 1 wherein at leasta portion of said tab is integrally formed with said stretchable earpanel.
 3. The fastening member according to claim 1 wherein saidfastening member is folded along a line that is disposed on said tab. 4.The fastening member according to claim 3 wherein said fastening memberis folded along a line that is disposed on said connecting portion ofsaid tab.
 5. The fastening member according to claim 3 wherein saidfastening member is folded along a line that is substantially parallelto the longitudinal centerline of said tab.
 6. The fastening memberaccording to claim 1 wherein said film of said stretchable ear panelcomprises an elastomeric material.
 7. The fastening member according toclaim 6 wherein said stretchable ear panel comprises a zero strainstretch laminate.
 8. The fastening member according to claim 1 whereinsaid stretchable ear panel and said tab are formed with separatematerials joined to one another.
 9. The fastening member according toclaim 1 wherein said connective portion comprises a material that isdifferent from a material of said ear panel.
 10. The fastening memberaccording to claim 1 wherein said tab is less stretchable than saidstretchable ear panel.
 11. The fastening member according to claim 1wherein said tab is joined to said stretchable ear panel such that aportion of said tab overlaps with a portion of said stretchable earpanel.
 12. The fastening member according to claim 1 wherein said tabhas upper and lower surfaces and said stretchable ear panel has upperand lower surface and wherein said upper surface of said tab is attachedto said lower surface of said stretchable ear panel.
 13. The fasteningmember of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal length of said tab and saidstretchable ear panel at said trailing portion increases along saidlateral direction.
 14. The fastening member of claim 1 wherein saidtrailing portion has a lower edge wherein said lower edge has acurvature.
 15. The fastening member of claim 1 wherein said trailingportion has a upper edge wherein said upper edge has a curvature. 16.The fastening member of claim 15 wherein said trailing portion has alower edge wherein said lower edge has a curvature.
 17. The fasteningmember according to claim 1 wherein said connective portion comprises atleast one of a plastic film, a woven material, and a nonwoven material.18. An absorbent article comprising a fastening member according toclaim
 1. 19. The absorbent article according to claim 18 wherein saidabsorbent article comprises a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbentcore positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet and whereinsaid ear panel is joined to said backsheet.
 20. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 18 wherein said absorbent article comprises a frontand back waist regions wherein said from waist region comprises alanding zone member and wherein said ear panel is joined to said backwaist region.